February 1, 2012

KCHA improving seven community centers

Images courtesy of KCHA [enlarge]

Woodridge Park center will have an office, classroom, multipurpose room, kitchen, computer lab, lobby and restrooms.

King County Housing Authority is upgrading community centers at seven housing complexes in Auburn, Bellevue, Burien and Kent. The goal is to help kids in low-income households succeed in life.

The community centers are places where kids can get help with their school work, participate in recreational programs and develop life skills. The centers also assist the kids' parents with adult learning, career development and supportive services.

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Finished last month, an addition to the community center at Eastside Terrace doubles the space.

One project, Eastside Terrace in Bellevue, was finished last month. Construction of four others — Woodridge Park, Valli Kee Homes, Burndale Homes and Firwood Circle — started in late 2011. Woodridge Park is the only development that isn't a public housing project; it is marketed by KCHA as affordable apartments.

The final two projects — Hidden Village (14508 S.E. 24th St., Bellevue) and Spiritwood (1424 148th Ave. S.E., Bellevue) — are expected to be advertised for bid later this month as a single project valued at about $2 million. Hidden Village will be a significant expansion of an existing building while Spiritwood will be new construction. Tonkin Hoyne Architecture & Urban Design is the architect for both.

Other project details:

Eastside Terrace

707 147th Place N.E., Bellevue

Significant remodel and addition completed in January (grand opening on Feb. 27). The new space is double that of the original.

Architect: ARC Architects

General contractor: Stetz Construction

Structural, civil engineer: KPFF

Mechanical engineer: Stantec

Electrical engineer: Cierra Electrical Group

Woodridge Park

12400 28th Ave. S., Burien

A new 2,250-square-foot building with more space for New Futures to provide programs to families living in the 200-unit complex owned by KCHA. The nonprofit operates out of three converted apartments that will be returned as affordable housing.

The community center will have a central office, classroom, multipurpose room, kitchen, computer lab, lobby and restrooms.

Construction to be finished this summer at a cost of $736,000.

Architect: Schemata Workshop

General contractor: Mike Werlech Construction

Civil engineer: KPFF

Plumbing: Covenant Plumbing

Electric: Modular Electric

Flooring: Commercial Interiors

Ventilation: Washington Heating and Air Conditioning

Finishes: Olympic Interiors

Valli Kee Homes

23401 104th Ave. S.E., Kent

A new building with 4,330 square feet of program space mainly for Kent Youth and Family Services, along with two outdoor play areas (one for pre-schoolers, the other for older kids).

The existing community building will be remodeled into a management office with maintenance space. An existing apartment containing the management office will be converted back into public housing.

Construction to be finished in August or September at a cost of $1.3 million.

Architect: ARC Architects

General contractor: CDK Construction Services

Earthwork/utilities: Aero Construction Co.

Roofing: Trinity Roofing Solutions

HVAC: Washington Heating and Air Conditioning

Electrical: Brink Electric

Burndale Homes

930 18th Place N.E., Auburn

A new 3,563-square-foot building that will house community services now operating in a converted apartment.

Neighborhood House will oversee after-school educational programs for youth and coordinate with community-based providers to deliver support on-site and connect users into larger off-site systems, such as the Workforce Development Council.

The apartment will be remodeled back into public housing.

Construction to be finished in September at a cost of $1 million.

Architect: ARC Architects

General contractor: Buchanan General Contracting Co.

Electrical: PK Electric

Earthwork: Freeman Bell Construction & Development

Firwood Circle

314 37th St. S.E., Auburn

An existing building with space shared with a management office and maintenance facility is being renovated and expanded to 3,366 square feet. New space will be used by the community center. No service provider has been selected yet.

Construction to be finished in September at a cost of $1 million.

Architect: ARC Architects

General contractor: CDK Construction Services

Earthwork: Freeman Bell Construction & Development